CubaCubaFrom independence to From independence to

modern timesmodern times

Cuba: Relative LocationCuba: Relative Location

IndependenceIndependence Long after Mexico and Central America Long after Mexico and Central America

gained independence, Cuba was still ruled gained independence, Cuba was still ruled by the Spanishby the Spanish

During the late 1800’s, the people there During the late 1800’s, the people there rebelled many times; however, they were rebelled many times; however, they were unable to gain independence on their ownunable to gain independence on their own

In 1898, the United States declared war In 1898, the United States declared war on Spainon Spain

This resulted in the Spanish – American This resulted in the Spanish – American WarWar

The Spanish – American WarThe Spanish – American War

Motivations of the United StatesMotivations of the United States1.1. Help the people of Cuba and Puerto Help the people of Cuba and Puerto

Rico gain freedom from SpainRico gain freedom from Spain2.2. Protect the many U.S. owned sugar Protect the many U.S. owned sugar

cane plantations on the islandscane plantations on the islands After one year of fighting, Spain lost After one year of fighting, Spain lost

it’s colonies in the Americasit’s colonies in the Americas Puerto Rico became a U.S. Puerto Rico became a U.S.

dependencydependency Cuba became an independent countryCuba became an independent country

Time of DictatorshipTime of Dictatorship After independence, Cuba had a series of After independence, Cuba had a series of

dictatorsdictators A dictator is a person who has complete A dictator is a person who has complete

control over a country’s governmentcontrol over a country’s government Cuba’s dictators were careful to stay Cuba’s dictators were careful to stay

friendly with the United States and they friendly with the United States and they welcomed U.S. businesses and touristswelcomed U.S. businesses and tourists

During this time period, The United States During this time period, The United States was Cuba's main trade partnerwas Cuba's main trade partner

Havana, Cuba’s capital, offered tourists Havana, Cuba’s capital, offered tourists luxury hotels and casinosluxury hotels and casinos

Most Cubans; however, remained poorMost Cubans; however, remained poor

Time of DictatorshipTime of Dictatorship The Cuban people often protested against The Cuban people often protested against

these dictatorsthese dictators In the 1950’s, Cubans who were angry at the In the 1950’s, Cubans who were angry at the

government found a leader for their causegovernment found a leader for their cause He was a young lawyer named He was a young lawyer named Fidel CastroFidel Castro Castro had been Castro had been imprisoned in 1953 for imprisoned in 1953 for

leading an attack on the governmentleading an attack on the government. He . He was released and fled to Mexico where he was released and fled to Mexico where he organized opposition to the government. organized opposition to the government.

Returned to Cuba in Returned to Cuba in 1956 to lead the 1956 to lead the oppositionopposition..

Fidel Castro (1959)Fidel Castro (1959)

Revolution takes HoldRevolution takes Hold

Born in 1927 to a wealthy family, Born in 1927 to a wealthy family, Castro was known for being a Castro was known for being a dynamic speakerdynamic speaker

In college, he developed a deep In college, he developed a deep interest in politicsinterest in politics

By late 1956, Castro’s opposition By late 1956, Castro’s opposition forces had established headquarters forces had established headquarters for their revolution in the mountains for their revolution in the mountains of southeastern Cubaof southeastern Cuba

Revolution takes HoldRevolution takes Hold A few at a time, Cubans A few at a time, Cubans

began to join Castro’s began to join Castro’s small armysmall army

As the rebel army grew As the rebel army grew in size, they won in size, they won several battles against several battles against government troopsgovernment troops

As the revolution grew As the revolution grew stronger, Cuba’s stronger, Cuba’s dictator, dictator, Fulgencio Fulgencio BatistaBatista, fled the country , fled the country on January 1on January 1stst, 1959, 1959

Fulgencio Batista Fulgencio Batista (1938)(1938)

Revolution takes HoldRevolution takes Hold

On January 8On January 8thth, 1959, Castro and his followers , 1959, Castro and his followers marched triumphantly into Havanamarched triumphantly into Havana

More than half a million Cubans greeted them More than half a million Cubans greeted them joyfullyjoyfully

In a speech to the crowds, Castro promised In a speech to the crowds, Castro promised that Cuba would have no more dictatorsthat Cuba would have no more dictators

The revolution had succeeded, Castro became The revolution had succeeded, Castro became the new commander-in-chief of Cuba’s armythe new commander-in-chief of Cuba’s army

By July 1959, Fidel Castro had taken full By July 1959, Fidel Castro had taken full control of Cuba’s governmentcontrol of Cuba’s government

Castro takes controlCastro takes control

Cuba in the Cold WarCuba in the Cold War Castro took power in Cuba Castro took power in Cuba

during the during the Cold War- Cold War- a a period of conflict between period of conflict between the United States and the the United States and the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

Fidel Castro needed the Fidel Castro needed the friendship of a powerful friendship of a powerful country and the Soviet country and the Soviet Union was eager to have Union was eager to have Cuba as an ally Cuba as an ally

Why do you think that was?Why do you think that was? The Soviet Union began The Soviet Union began

large scale trade with Cuba large scale trade with Cuba They also provided Cuba They also provided Cuba

with weaponswith weapons

Cuba Becomes CommunistCuba Becomes Communist

The Soviet Union practiced an economic The Soviet Union practiced an economic and political system known as and political system known as CommunismCommunism

Under this system, the government plans Under this system, the government plans and controls a country’s economy; in and controls a country’s economy; in effect the government owns the effect the government owns the country’s farms, factories and businessescountry’s farms, factories and businesses

Soon, Castro began to adopt Communist Soon, Castro began to adopt Communist policies for Cuba’s economypolicies for Cuba’s economy

Cuba Becomes CommunistCuba Becomes Communist

Castro’s government took over the Castro’s government took over the big sugar cane plantations, many of big sugar cane plantations, many of which had been owned by U.S. which had been owned by U.S. companiescompanies

His government then took over U.S. His government then took over U.S. banks, oil refineries and other banks, oil refineries and other businesses on the islandbusinesses on the island

How did the U.S. respond to How did the U.S. respond to Communism in Cuba?Communism in Cuba?

Cuba Becomes CommunistCuba Becomes Communist In return, the United In return, the United

States, led by President States, led by President John F. Kennedy, cut off John F. Kennedy, cut off all trade with Cubaall trade with Cuba

While the Soviet Union While the Soviet Union was powerful, it traded was powerful, it traded oil, grain and oil, grain and machinery to Cuba for machinery to Cuba for sugarsugar

Most of these products Most of these products are worth more than are worth more than sugar, so the Soviet sugar, so the Soviet Union was, in large Union was, in large part, supporting Cuba’s part, supporting Cuba’s economyeconomy

John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy

Cuba Becomes CommunistCuba Becomes Communist Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in

1991, Cuba has struggled to maintain its 1991, Cuba has struggled to maintain its Communist way of life without Soviet aidCommunist way of life without Soviet aid

Economic problems since the 1990’s have Economic problems since the 1990’s have affected many aspects of Cuban life, affected many aspects of Cuban life, including education and health careincluding education and health care

Lack of fuel for buses and cars prevented Lack of fuel for buses and cars prevented some children from getting to schoolsome children from getting to school

Food shortages have caused malnutritionFood shortages have caused malnutrition Today, most Cubans are poor and struggle Today, most Cubans are poor and struggle

daily to provide for their familiesdaily to provide for their families

Castro as DictatorCastro as Dictator Despite promising to not Despite promising to not

become a dictator, that is become a dictator, that is exactly what he becameexactly what he became

He Redistributed land so that He Redistributed land so that no one owned more than a no one owned more than a certain amountcertain amount

He Imprisoned people that He Imprisoned people that spoke out against himspoke out against him

He controlled all radio, He controlled all radio, newspaper and television newspaper and television stations. (Censorship of stations. (Censorship of media) Criticism of the media) Criticism of the government is illegalgovernment is illegal

From 1959 to 2008, Fidel From 1959 to 2008, Fidel Castro remained head of Castro remained head of state without ever being state without ever being electedelected

Raul CastroRaul Castro In 2008; due to In 2008; due to

illness, Fidel’s illness, Fidel’s younger brother, younger brother, Raul CastroRaul Castro took over took over and now serves as and now serves as dictatordictator

Although he has Although he has introduced some introduced some economic reforms, economic reforms, Cuba remains the Cuba remains the western hemispheres western hemispheres only communist only communist nationnation

Human Rights in CubaHuman Rights in Cuba Cuban law limits freedom of expression, Cuban law limits freedom of expression,

assembly, movement and pressassembly, movement and press It is illegal to leave the country without It is illegal to leave the country without

permissionpermission Everything in newspapers, television and Everything in newspapers, television and

radio is heavily censored by the government radio is heavily censored by the government Human rights organizations have accused Human rights organizations have accused

the Cuban government of torture, arbitrary the Cuban government of torture, arbitrary imprisonment and unfair trialsimprisonment and unfair trials

Basically, Cuban citizens lack a lot of the Basically, Cuban citizens lack a lot of the basic human rights that we enjoybasic human rights that we enjoy

Cuba’s EconomyCuba’s Economy

What is Cuba’s most important What is Cuba’s most important product?product?

SugarSugar The yearly sugar cane harvest is a The yearly sugar cane harvest is a

key event for Cuba’s economy, sugar key event for Cuba’s economy, sugar is their main trade commodityis their main trade commodity

Tourism is also important to the Tourism is also important to the economy of Cubaeconomy of Cuba

Wrap UpWrap Up

Who helped Cuba gain it’s Who helped Cuba gain it’s independence from Spain?independence from Spain?

Who was in control of Cuba’s Who was in control of Cuba’s government from 1959 to 2008?government from 1959 to 2008?

What was the “Cold War”?What was the “Cold War”? What is “Communism”?What is “Communism”? How did the U.S. react to Communism How did the U.S. react to Communism

in Cuba?in Cuba? What is Cuba’s most important product?What is Cuba’s most important product?